Optimization of micro-budding technique in Coorg mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco)

In the present study, 45- and 60-day-old Coorg mandarin micro-buds were budded on five- and six-month-old Rangpur lime rootstock seedlings. Higher success of micro-budded plants was recorded (30.71%) on six-month-old Rangpur lime rootstocks by using 60-day-old scion buds, which was higher than the five-month-old rootstock seedlings (18.66%) with same age of scion buds. Further, in order to increase the success, micro-budding was attempted under protected structures. Success of micro-budding on Rangpur lime was higher in polyhouse (56.49%) than shade nethouse (34.44%) and open conditions (21.50%) than other rootstocks. The number of days taken for sprouting was much earlier under protected conditions in Rangpur lime (13.36%) followed by Troyer citrange (14.82%) and trifoliate orange (19.54%) rootstocks. Micro-budded plants under open conditions took longer time for sprouting on Rangpur lime (18.32). Success of micro-budding was found to be significantly higher in protected structures than the open conditions for all the rootstocks. The results suggested that micro-budding technique could be gainfully exploited for shortening the propagation period and early biological indexing of citrus.